Northgate Community Center Project Fact Sheet

Grand Opening!

Thank you, Seattle! This project is complete!

On Saturday, July 15, 2006, the community joined Mayor Greg Nickels
and members of the Seattle City Council to mark the grand opening of
the new Northgate Community Center, Northgate Park and Northgate Branch
Library.

The project includes a 20,000-square-foot community center, a 10,000-square-foot
library, and a 1.67-acre park on the site of the former Goodyear store
at Fifth Avenue Northeast and Northeast 105th Street and the commercial
site one lot north.

The Miller|Hull Partnership designed the buildings and the park to
create an urban gathering place for the community. The library is prominently
located along Fifth Avenue Northeast. The main reading space is focused
toward the park. The community center is placed at the south end of
the site with a children's play area to the north to maximize the green
space devoted to the park.

The project also includes artwork for the community center designed
by Nikki McClure, a mixed-media artist from Olympia. Art for the branch
library was designed by glass and metal artist Dana Lynn Louis, of Portland.
The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs manages the public art program
for the Library and Parks.

Funding for the new facilities comes from several sources.

In 1999, Seattle voters approved the community centers levy, which
included money for a new community center in Northgate. The $8.85 million
community center offers activities such as teen camps, basketball leagues,
classes, after-school programs, community meetings, and programs for
seniors.

In 2000, Seattle voters approved the Pro Parks Levy, which included
nearly money for a new park in Northgate. The $4.8 million park plays
an important part in addressing the open space needs of the densely
developed neighborhood.

Voters in 1998 approved the Libraries for All bond measure, which included
money to build a new library in Northgate. The $6,693,570 branch will
include a new collection capacity of 40,200 books and materials, reading
and homework areas for children and youth, computers, instruction areas,
and a meeting room.

Adjacent to this project is the Fifth Avenue NE Streetscape Project.
The Seattle Department of Transportation administered the project, which
created a safe, pedestrian-friendly street that accommodates all types
of transportation. Improvements include landscaping medians, widened
sidewalks, new trees and a pedestrian promenade with an improved crosswalk
connecting the new community center and library to the Northgate Mall.

Key Milestones

July 2006: Grand opening of new facilities.

March 2005: Parks, the Library, Mayor Greg Nickels, members
of City Council and the community gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony
for the new facilities. Absher Construction began construction on
the project.

February 2005: The City received six
bids (PDF) for the construction of the project. Four of the six
bids were within the project budget.

September 2004: Mayor Greg Nickels proposed adding an additional
$1 million to the Northgate Branch, community center and park project
as part of his 2005 budget. The City Council will review the budget
this fall.

July 2004: Construction bids for the project came in higher
than expected.
November 2003 & February 2004: Residents viewed design images
of the project.

May 2003: Residents described their vision for the design,
and discussed preferences in services, equipment, programs, library
collections, and artwork.
March 2003: The Library and Parks selected The Miller/Hull Partnership
to design the project.

February 2003: Residents commented on site plans.

October 2002: The Library and Parks selected ARC Architects
to provide site planning services.

June 2002: The Library and Parks agreed to build the project
on the former Bon Tire Center site at Fifth Avenue Northeast and Northeast
105th Street.

August 2001-February 2002: Parks holds three public meetings
for residents to discuss siting options for community center and park.

November 2000: Seattle voters approved the $198.2 million
Pro Parks Levy.
May 2000: The Library and Parks invited residents to a meeting to
discuss co-locating the Northgate branch and community center.

January & March 2000: Library holds two public meetings
for residents to discuss siting options for new branch library.

November 1999: Seattle voters approved the $72 million community
centers levy.

November 1998: Seattle voters approved the $196.4 million
"Libraries for All" bond measure.

Public Involvement

A Project Advisory Team (PAT) was
appointed by the Superintendent in Summer 2003. The PAT will meet frequently
during the design phases. They will also have briefings and site tours
during construction. The PAT is an advisory committee made up of representatives
of key stakeholder groups. It is intended to facilitate sustained and
balanced stakeholder participation, providing recommendations on the
design of the gym. Meetings of the PAT are open to the public. At its
meetings, the PAT will review project scope, budget, schedule, recent
accomplishments, and upcoming tasks. Recommendations of the PAT on these
topics will be given substantial weight by the Parks Department. Meeting
agendas and minutes will be available below.